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Arsenal’s David Raya saves a penalty from Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fee as Bruno Guimaraes (inset) celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s opening goal during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Rock-solid Gunners Gunners

Guimaraes strike lights up Arsenal win over Sunderland but penalty leaves Arteta fuming B RUNO GUIMARAES’S brilliant first Arsenal goal and David Raya’s penalty save inspired the Gunners to a 2-0 vic tory at Sunderland yesterday to extend a flawless start to their Premier League title defence. Pushed on whether he meant the penalty decision, which was awarded swiftly by referee Brooks and checked by VAR, Arteta added: “I’m so upset. Karen Carney said on TNT Sports . “Ballard was holding Konsa’s arm but you run the risk,” added former Arsenal defender Martin Keown. “They want to stamp down on it so there is no point arguing about it.” However, Arteta was not alone in questioning the decision. pointed” with the performance. “I think we showed that we are really close to achieving something big against one of the best teams in Europe right now,” he said. Le Bris was particularly pleased with his side’s second half response after a more cautious open ing 45 minutes.

“It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri (Konsa) does nothing. Just watch it,” Arteta told BBC Match of the Day . “We have a lot of cameras and VAR, we have to take responsibility to protect the game. Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing. “It’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season, the championship. “I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live and I said, ‘It’s not possible at this level it’s going to be a penalty.’ It cannot happen “I’ve been in football for almost 28 years, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.” This season, Premier League referees have been instructed to clamp down on grappling at corners, something that became a big talking point last term. “With the new laws trying to get rid of the grappling, Konsa is all over Ballard. You have to be looking at the ball,” former England midfielder

Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded just once in five games in all competitions but Sunderland had the chance to breach Arsenal’s imposing rearguard when Raya tipped Enzo Le Fee’s spot kick onto the post. Just over two minutes later Guimaraes silenced the Stadium of Light as the Brazilian smashed into the top corner from outside the box. Bukayo Saka’s penalty sealed the victory with the final kick of the game after Sunderland defender Reinildo saw a second yellow card for taking down the England international. Despite the victory Arteta was still seething after the game at the award of Sunderland’s pen alty for Ezri Konsa’s pull on Dan Ballard. When asked to give his thoughts on the vic tory, the Arsenal boss made it clear he was not happy with the penalty that was awarded against his side. “It’s a huge win, but it could have been some thing very different,” he told TNT Sports .

“After the first half we were a bit reserved with the ball I think, but our second half was excel lent,” he said. “We got the momentum, created chances and it was a big save from Raya from the penalty. “I think it was very good goalkeeping rather than a poor penalty. Raya was absolutely impres sive today,” said Le Bris. “We stayed in the game and we created other chances but we didn’t score and that was the dif ference today.” Le Bris also praised his players’ character and tactical discipline against Arsenal. “We had intensity and togetherness and we were brave as well at times with the ball,” he said. “We were flexible tactically because this Arsenal team creates chances. Today we found a solution to stop them and we created chances as well so it shows that we are getting better. It’s not enough yet but we are close.” – AFP/The Independent/Agencies

“It’s absolutely not a penalty. He has got it completely wrong, Konsa’s shoulder is pulled down by Ballard and he lands on top,” former Wales defender Ashley Williams said on BBC Match of the Day . “It’s like a perfect toss in judo. It’s very clever by Ballard but in no way is it a penalty.” Asked about the save, Raya, who also denied Brian Brobbey late on, said: “I think that save made the players and the team to have that faith to keep going and win the game, which we did, and two minutes later we scored the goal, a won derful goal from Bruno. “But even if we conceded that goal, I think we had that faith to get back to the game. So obvi ously important to keep the clean sheet because that helped us to win games and important to save the penalty as well.” Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said he was left with mixed emotions after yesterday’s defeat, describing himself as “proud and disap

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